By Thomas Henry Strenk

Its beachside vibe and eminent mixability make rum fun

“ Vacation in a glass ” is how Todd Thrasher describes the rum and cocktails he serves at his bar Tiki TNT in Washington , D . C .’ s District Wharf . Thrasher is heavily invested in rum : not only does he stock nearly 250 different rums behind the bar but he also produces and sells his four expressions of Thrasher ’ s Rum brand at the urban , waterfront Potomac Distilling Co .

The rum category as a whole benefits from the feeling of escapism . And after a year of this pandemic , just about everyone needs a vacation , or at least a good cocktail , whether at their favorite bar or restaurant , as takeout or delivery or via retail at-home mixology . Mixability is one of rum ’ s many strong points .

“ Rum is the most flexible and food-friendly spirit in my opinion ,” says Aniece Meinhold , co-owner of Phuc Yea , a New-Vietnamese cuisine restaurant in Downtown Miami . She stocks a dozen rums behind the bar , but mainly relies on Bacardi 8 , Havana

Tiki TNT in Washington , D . C .’ s District Wharf is a bar owned by rum producer Todd Thrasher .

38 • Summer 2021 www . cheersonline . com